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We will see a significant weather pattern change to several widespread snow events

James Madden - forecaster for Exacta Weather

Swathes of the country are on alert for freezing Arctic gales, heavy snow and blizzards in the worst winter onslaught since 2010.

Britons are warned not to be lulled into a false sense of security by a brief mild spell forecast this weekend.

A change in wind direction will bring milder air in from the Atlantic during the next couple of days although it will turn stormy into next week.

However all eyes are on Friday when a Beast from the East blast of winter misery is poised to grip the UK.

NETWEATHER

Bitter winds from the North Pole threaten to tear across the UK from next Friday

Snow is forecast across the country including London and the southeast although higher ground in the north which will see the heaviest showers.

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said much of Britain is likely tho end up under a carpet of white.

He warned blizzards will bring traffic to a standstill while several inches of snow will settle in the worst affected regions.

NETWEATHER

Some forecasters are warning to brace for a month-long freeze

He said: “There is some good agreement on several weather models that from next week we will see a significant weather pattern change to several widespread snow events that could bring the risk of snow to most and if not all parts of the country.

“This is likely to lead to some notable accumulations and lying snow on the ground for several days in succession due to the accompanying cold conditions.

“This includes much lower levels of the country including the capital; transport and travel issues are likely due to countrywide heavy snow and potential blizzards.

“Widespread school closures are also very likely on current indications too.”

He said the imminent cold snap is shaping up to be the worst winter onslaught since 2010 which saw Britain crippled by severe weather.

Roads, railways and airports ground to a halt while rural communities were cut off for days as ice lay thick on the ground.

Mr Madden added: “The conditions we are facing - multiple snow events and prolonged cold throughout this month - could be comparable to December 2010.

“Although some slightly milder days can be expected at times the more dominant theme will be cold and snowy weather for much of the rest of this month.”

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Snow is forecast across the country including London and the southeast

WeatherAction forecaster Piers Corbyn said Britain will continue to freeze until around the last week in January.

He warned to prepare for “dangerous” weather conditions with “major” blizzards, thick ice and sub-zero temperatures.

To compound the misery exposed areas are at risk of freezing hurricane-force gales as a powerful “Polar Low” forms over Scandinavia.

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Swathes of the country are on alert for freezing Arctic gales

He said: “During the second half of January extreme cold conditions will develop with northerly gales triggering storms in parts.

“We could see winds reach hurricane-force at sea as Britain turns very cold with the risk of blizzards, ice and dangerous weather.

“A large powerful Polar low becomes centre approximately west of Scandinavia with high pressure over Russia and Ukraine.

“We are issuing a red warning for this period as there is a risk of travel chaos and electricity outages.”